From remote key fobs to passive entry systems, the automotive industry has continually evolved to make accessing and starting vehicles more seamless. Now, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is taking the driver experience to the next level—bringing together precision, convenience, and enhanced security. As vehicles become more connected and user expectations grow, UWB is proving to be a game-changing innovation that redefines how we interact with our cars.
A Quick Look Back: The Evolution of Vehicle Entry
The journey began in 1982 with the Renault Fuego, the first car to feature a remote key fob. A decade later, the Chevrolet Corvette introduced passive entry, which allows vehicles to detect a nearby key fob and unlock automatically. In 2024, about 50% of cars featured passive entry systems, and nearly all supported some form of remote or keyless access.
The next frontier? Ditching the physical key entirely.
Why UWB?
UWB is a short-range, high-frequency wireless technology that excels at determining precise location and distance. Due to this precision, UWB technology is resistant to common attacks—especially relay attacks that can trick a vehicle into thinking a key is nearby. UWB solves this by using two-way ranging and timestamp verification to ensure the device (typically a smartphone or key fob) is truly within proximity of the vehicle.
How UWB Digital Keys Work
UWB digital keys transform your smartphone or key fob into a secure, location-aware car key. Using a process called two-way ranging (TWR), UWB transceivers in the vehicle and the mobile device exchange encrypted signals with precise timestamps. These timestamps are used to calculate the exact distance between the vehicle and device with centimeter-level accuracy.
Because UWB measures time-of-flight (ToF) with such precision, the system can reliably detect whether the device is truly near the vehicle, not just relaying a signal from afar. With multiple sensors placed around the vehicle, it can also determine the direction of approach, enabling features like unlocking specific doors, opening the trunk, or triggering personalized settings.
All of this happens seamlessly, creating a secure “bubble” around the vehicle that responds only when an authorized device is within range. It’s convenient, highly secure, and tailor-made for the next generation of vehicle access.
More Than Just Access: UWB Benefits
UWB brings a host of benefits to modern vehicles:
- Security: Enables strong protection against relay attacks and spoofing when combined with certified protocols, such as those from the FiRa® Consortium or the Car Connectivity Consortium® (CCC), which add secure ranging and encrypted key exchange on top of UWB’s precise distance measurement.
- Convenience: Hands-free entry and start using your smartphone—no fumbling for keys.
- Functionality: Enables features like automated EV charging alignment, secure valet access, and remote vehicle sharing.
- Reliability: With low power consumption and high ranging accuracy, UWB delivers dependable performance.
Global Momentum
The UWB-based vehicle access control market is expected to grow significantly, with a projected CAGR of 11.7% from 2025 to 2030. Demand for more secure and seamless access systems is driving adoption worldwide. In the U.S., rising vehicle thefts and stricter safety regulations are accelerating the move toward advanced technologies. Major automakers and tech companies are leading the way in innovation, integrating UWB technology into vehicles to enhance security and user convenience.
Europe continues to invest heavily in sustainable and secure automotive technologies. The region’s focus on reducing emissions and embracing AI, IoT, and biometric integration is creating a strong foundation for UWB adoption. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is seeing the fastest growth—driven by rapid urbanization, a booming automotive sector, and high demand for connected vehicles. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are prioritizing UWB to modernize infrastructure and improve in-car safety and user experience. Across all regions, UWB is becoming a key enabler of the next generation of vehicle connectivity.
Standards in Motion: CCC Update Strengthens UWB's Role
The CCC has recently announced an update to its CCC Digital Key™ Certification Program, expanding official coverage to include ultra-wideband (UWB), made possible by FiRa’s 3.0 Certification Program released in January 2025. This is a significant milestone for the automotive industry, as it helps establish a global, interoperable standard for digital keys—one that includes UWB as a core component.
This update reinforces UWB’s role as an enabler of precise, location-aware vehicle access, with strong potential for mitigating relay attacks when implemented with appropriate security layers. With broader certification support, automakers can now move forward with greater confidence in deploying UWB-based digital key systems, knowing that interoperability across smartphones, vehicles, and ecosystems is being actively standardized.
As certification expands, we can expect faster adoption, more seamless user experiences, and stronger ecosystem collaboration—further accelerating the shift toward a UWB-powered future for vehicle access and beyond.
Beyond the Digital Key: UWB for In-Car Safety
UWB isn’t just about unlocking doors. It’s also making cars safer—especially for families. One significant application is child-presence detection, where UWB radar can identify subtle signs of life, like an infant’s breathing, even through seats or blankets. This allows vehicles to alert drivers if a child or pet is left behind. The technology has already gained recognition from safety programs like Euro NCAP.
UWB radar works by measuring the ToF of signals and detecting motion using the Doppler Effect. Its ability to penetrate materials inside the vehicle makes it ideal for monitoring across the entire cabin, including cargo areas. Originally used in rescue missions, it now brings powerful safety capabilities to everyday driving.
Looking ahead, UWB can also enable features like seatbelt reminders, gesture-based trunk access, and even health monitoring. As automakers expand UWB systems, it’s becoming a critical part of the in-cabin safety experience.
Driving into the Future
UWB is laying the groundwork for a new era of vehicle access and beyond. Its ability to combine precise location sensing with secure communications opens the door to advanced driver-assistance systems, smarter vehicle-to-everything (V2X) interactions, and even in-car gesture control. As original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) continue to integrate UWB into vehicles and mobile devices, drivers can expect a more personalized, secure, and connected automotive experience.
The digital car key is just the start—UWB is enabling vehicles to become more secure, more responsive, and better equipped to meet the evolving needs of drivers and passengers alike.